immature turkey vulture

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By JL Eagle Nest Report: First Nest is Threatened 02/03/2017

Petruchio the dad was on the nest brooding the chick(s) when an immature turkey vulture tried to invade the nest (see its wing tip at the very top of the first photo of the slide show; the nest and Petruchio are at the very bottom right). Mom Kate was almost out of sight out near the main lake when she heard Petruchio’s calls for help. Kate quickly dashed across the lake and cove and there began a terrific chase across the sky. Kate routed the vulture and soon chased it out of my sight and down behind the trees. Kate returned some minutes later. All the eagles were safe. A slide show of the chase can be seen at https://youtu.be/QpOE-eX2gjU

walk6059-01-31-17-10-25-27-new-hope-kate-vulture

By tag and bounce

_RK_1266 Cadet and vulture 2014

Cadet, who is the immature osprey on the upper right, has taken to harassing the immature turkey vultures, the bird on the lower left. Both these birds were fledged this year and their flying skills are still sloppy. But that didn’t stop Cadet from diving down on the vulture who had to twist awkwardly to get away.
I caught the moment as Cadet bounced off of the vulture.

By two youngsters

_RK_8410 Cadet and vulture sm sky 2014 (1)

That is Cadet upstairs and a young turkey vulture downstairs; they were both born this year.  As often happens, I was putting up my camera when I heard Cadet call and turned to see him buzz the vulture!  I missed the buzz-by dive with my camera, but did get this fly-by.